English Setter Society Of Wales

English Setter Society of Wales Open Show – 24th September 2023.

I would like to thank the Society for the invitation to judge this show and their outstanding hospitality. Thanks also to the exhibitors who allowed me to assess their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

I didn’t find any sloping toplines, which seems to be creeping in, I had only one suspect mouth and one dog a little proud of his tail. All dogs were well presented albeit some were lacking schooling.

MPD – no entries

Puppy Dog – (4, 3 abs)

1st Mrs A M Forrest, Elvistar A Boy Named Sue.

This boy is up to size. Pleasant head, skull still needs to break. Well defined stop, correct eye shape and good length to muzzle. Correct arch to neck leading to well laid shoulders. Firm topline and correct tailset and carriage. Slightly narrow in front but this may improve with time. Enough stifle. Moved well once settled.

Veteran Dog (2)

1st Miss D Loynd, ShCh Crimbledale Sea The Skies JW Sh Cm.

Masculine head, dark eye. Ears set on low. Well laid shoulders cleaning leading to firm level topline. Good bend of well muscled stifles. Lovely feet. Tail set on just below the level of the back and carried correctly, ever wagging which was a joy to see. Moved well.

2nd Mr and Mrs Brown, Marigen Top Gear at Yendorlech

Little broader in skull than winner, good eye and correct earset. Longer cast throughout but still has a good firm topline and correct tailset. Not the width of thigh of winner and narrow in front. Moved Ok.

Junior Dog (5,4abs)

1st Mrs T and Mr D Thomas, Kanietter Sarka

Pleasant head, correct stop and dark oval eye. Enough depth of brisket but lacks a little forechest. Ribs still need to spring. Correct slightly arched neck. Well muscled throughout. Proud of his tail and tends to sidewind when moving but this may be exuberance of age.

Novice Dog (3, 3 abs)

Graduate Dog(2, 2abs)

Post Graduate Dog(2,1 abs)

Mrs B Szal, Sharnyx River Flow

Well balanced head with good stop and work over eyes. Strong wide nostril with just enough flew. Excellent spring of rib supporting a firm level topline. Elbows close to body. Tail set correctly almost in line with the back. Correct well arched toes. Another who tended to sidewind on the move.

Limit Dog (2,1abs)

1st Ms P Owen, Cornsett You My Everything

Well balanced dog. Good head with enough stop, good nose and enough flew. Strong muscular neck which lead into excellent lay back of shoulder. Well ribbed back. Well muscled rear which was used well on the move but tended to pull away from handler on the mat.

Open Dog (3.1abs)

1st Mr & Mrs Wilson, Ravensett Giovanni

Medium sized dog who is finer made throughout. Lovely head with expressive eye. Low set ear and good flews. Straight front with ample forechest and good return of upper arm. Well sprung ribs. Firm correct topline. Well muscled and moved very well with good tail action. Best Dog

2nd Mrs G & Mr R M Brown, Mariglen Night Manager at Yendorlech

Nice head and expression although stronger than winner. Deeper in flew. Chest deep in brisket but lacked a little in forechest.

Minor puppy Bitch (1, 1abs)

Puppy Bitch (2)

1st Mr & Mrs Reid, Hunterblue Mystique at Diersett

Pleasing head and good eye, needs more stop but I’m sure this will come with maturity. Good layback of shoulder, well ribbed, slightly longer in loin. Well bent stifle. Neat feet. Moved well with good tail action. Best Puppy

2nd Mrs Forrest, Elvistar Private Dancer.

Head slightly plainer at the moment and longer in foreface. Nicely arched neck. Lacking a little in forechest. Carries tail correctly but had a tendency to roach on the move which I’m sure will be better when she settles.

Veteran Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st Miss D Loynd, Sh Ch Crimbledale Seaing Stars JW

Very balanced girl who is just up my street. She has excellent forehand with straight front leading to correct tight feet. Pleasant head, slightly round eye but correct stop and expression. Well ribbed back, firm level topline leading to correctly set on tail. Good bend of stifle with good width of well muscled thigh. Moved very well with correct footfall. Best Bitch and Best in Show and Best Veteran in Show.

Junior Bitch (7, 4 abs)

1st Mrs J Stephenson, Mariglen Wave Dancer for Bondgate

Won this class on maturity. Preferred her head to 2nd but would prefer a darker eye. Correct topline and tailset. Elbows close to body. Moved slightly close behind.

2nd Mr & Mrs Reid, Hunterblue Mystique at Diersett, 1st in puppy bitch.

Novice Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st Mr & Mrs Reid, Hunterblue Mystique at Diersett

Graduate Bitch (1)

1st Miss A Prest, Caleydene Comet

Very pretty bitch with correct head planes. Arched neck leading to well laid shoulders. Correct amount of forechest Firm level topline. Good width of thigh and decent bend of stifle. Correct tailset and carriage. Moved well with animation.

Post Graduate Bitch (4, 2 abs)

1st Mrs S D Loakes, Goldbirch Hearts Desire JW

Lovely balanced bitch with correct head and expression and lovely dark eyes. Correct finish to muzzle. Straight front and neat feet. Well ribbed and wide over croup, strong quarters giving powerful rear movement. RBB and RBIS

2nd Mrs A Dykes, Caleydene Connextion

Another with a very pretty head but not quite the finish to muzzle of 1st. Not so well sprung ribs leaving elbows a bit loose. Good topline, neat feet and correct tail carriage. Moved a little close behind.

Limit Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st (Owner’s name is missing from catalogue) Rachdale Ribbons of Pearls

Pretty headed bitch not in her best coat. Would prefer a darker eye but has a good finish to foreface. Well ribbed. Would have preferred a bit more angles front and rear which would have given a more positive front action. Another with good tailset and carried it correctly.

Open Bitch (3,1abs)

1st Mrs A M Forrest, Walshaw Illumination Over Elvistar

This girl is slightly plainer in the head with a strong skull. She has a lovely dark eye. She has a good bend of stifle and sufficient width of thigh. She is carrying a bit of weight. Moved ok but feet could be better.

2nd Mrs A Dykes, Wansleydale Bedazzled at Caleydene

Preferred this girls head, she has a more refined skull but has a slightly lighter eye. Lacked forechest and elbows not as tight. Good spring of ribs and firm topline, tail set on slightly lower. Moved well.

Special Beginners

1st Miss A Prest, Caleydene Comet

Brace

1st Miss P Owens brace. A matching pair who moved with co-ordination around the ring.

2nd Mr & Mrs Brown brace. A bit of a handful and were not quite as in sync as the winners.

Judge

Sandra Sturrock